Director, University Benefits

University of Rochester • Town of Brighton, NY

5d • $122,600 - $184,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Director, University Benefits provides strategic and operational leadership for the Benefits team and develops, implements, communicates, and administers the University Benefits Program for faculty, staff, and retirees. The program is intended to help recruit, retain, and reward a qualified workforce, with comprehensive offerings designed to meet the needs of faculty and staff across the University.

The Director assesses benefits-related needs at a strategic level and partners with HR and University leaders and groups to develop recommendations and business cases, including financial implications. The role sets the benefits vision and philosophy within Total Rewards and advances it with University and HR leadership, Total Rewards and HR teams, and other stakeholders. The Director also develops and implements strategies, programs, and processes aligned with the University and HR missions, regulatory requirements, stakeholder needs, industry practices, market conditions, and financial considerations.

The position leads and develops the Benefits team, oversees multiple large-scale and complex benefits initiatives within Total Rewards, and provides leadership, oversight, and counsel to support compliance with ERISA, HIPAA, and other applicable state and federal regulations. Other duties may be assigned, including assuming management responsibility in the absence of the Senior Director.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Seven years of progressive Benefits experience encompassing various aspects of the Benefits function, including two years of supervisory experience.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and lead a high-performing team and manage an extended indirect team through influence.
• Demonstrated success leading complex, large-scale change initiatives.
• Strategic thinking ability.
• Interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate and build relationships with all levels of University leadership and with faculty, staff, and retirees.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Suite, virtual collaboration tools such as Zoom and Box, Adobe, and similar tools.
• Ability to communicate and interact effectively, orally and in writing, with people across diverse backgrounds and cultures.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the Benefits team.
• Develop, implement, communicate, and administer the University Benefits Program for faculty, staff, and retirees.
• Assess benefits-related needs at a systemic and strategic level; partner with HR and University leaders and groups to develop strategic recommendations and business cases, including financial implications.
• Set and advance the benefits vision and philosophy within Total Rewards, engaging University and HR leadership, Total Rewards and HR teams, and other stakeholders.
• Develop and implement benefits strategies, programs, and processes aligned with the HR and University mission and vision, regulatory requirements, stakeholder needs, industry best practices, and market and financial considerations.
• Lead the Benefits team, establish effective team structures and processes, support staff development, and inspire the team.
• Oversee project management for multiple large-scale, complex benefits initiatives within the Total Rewards organization.
• Provide leadership, oversight, and counsel to support University compliance with ERISA, HIPAA, and other state and federal regulations related to the Benefits Program.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including assuming management responsibility in the absence of the Senior Director.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director